Resolving a Small Disagreement at Work | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: At work, two teammates compare assumptions, check project notes, and agree on a focused compromise for a client task..

EN → FR / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Resolving a Small Disagreement at Work to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Je pense que nous ne sommes pas d’accord parce que nous sommes partis de suppositions différentes.

zhuh PAHNs kuh noo nuh SOM pah dah-KORR parss kuh noo som par-TEE duh soo-poh-zee-SYON dee-fay-RAHNT. I think we disagree because we made different assumptions.
B

Je pensais que le client voulait d’abord une version simple.

zhuh pahn-SAY kuh luh klee-YAHN voo-LAY dah-BOR oon vayr-SYON SAH-pleh. I thought the client wanted a simple version first.
A

Je pensais qu’il attendait une version complète avec toutes les fonctionnalités.

zhuh pahn-SAY keel ahn-tahn-DAY oon vayr-SYON kohm-PLEHT ah-VEK toot lay fong-syoh-nah-lee-TAY. I thought they expected a complete version with every feature.
B

Vérifions les notes au lieu de nous disputer en nous fiant à notre mémoire.

vay-ree-fee-ON lay noht oh LYUH duh noo dee-spew-TAY ahn noo fyahn ah nohtr may-MWAR. Let's check the notes instead of arguing from memory.
A

Les notes indiquent que la rapidité est prioritaire, mais qu’une fonctionnalité avancée est toujours nécessaire.

lay nohts an-dee-KAHN kuh lah rah-pee-dee-TAY eh pree-oh-ree-TAIR, meh kewn fong-syoh-nah-lee-TAY ah-vahn-SAY eh too-ZHOOR nay-say-SAIR. The notes say speed matters most, but one advanced feature is still required.
B

Une version plus simple qui inclut cette fonctionnalité semble être le bon compromis.

oon vayr-SYON ploo SAH-pleh kee an-KLOO seht fong-syoh-nah-lee-TAY sahmbl EHT luh bohn kohm-proh-MEE. A simpler version that includes that feature sounds like the right compromise.
A

Je peux l’accepter si nous expliquons clairement le compromis.

zhuh puh lahk-sehp-TAY see noo ex-plee-KOHN klair-MAHN luh kohm-proh-MEE. I can accept that if we explain the trade-off clearly.
B

Nous pouvons le présenter autour des priorités du client.

noo poo-VON luh pray-zahn-TAY oh-TOOR day pree-oh-ree-TAY doo klee-YAHN. We can frame it around the client's priorities.
A

Je vais mettre à jour la description de la tâche pour qu’elle corresponde à la décision.

zhuh vay MEHTR ah ZHOOR lah day-skreep-SYON duh lah TAHSH poor KEHL koh-rah-SPOND ah lah day-see-ZYON. I'll update the task description to match the decision.
B

Ainsi, le désaccord ne devrait pas ralentir le projet.

ahn-SEE luh day-zah-KOR nuh duh-VRAY pah rah-lahn-TEER luh proh-ZHAY. Then the disagreement should not slow the project down.

Word by Word

Je Je means I and is the subject pronoun in Je pense, Je pensais, Je peux, and Je vais. Use Je before a verb when describing your own thoughts, abilities, or planned action.
pense Pense means think in Je pense que nous ne sommes pas d’accord. The citation form is penser, and pense is the form used with Je here. Use Je pense que plus a clause to give an opinion.
que Que introduces the clause that follows Je pense: Je pense que nous ne sommes pas d’accord. It is used after many verbs of thought or communication before the information being expressed. New example: Je crois que c’est possible.
nous Nous means we in nous ne sommes pas d’accord, nous sommes partis, nous expliquons, and nous pouvons, but it means us in nous disputer. Use nous as the subject before a verb or as the object of a verb or construction.
ne Ne is the first part of the negative structure ne...pas in nous ne sommes pas d’accord. It normally appears before the conjugated verb in this written form. Use ne...pas to say that something is not the case.
sommes Sommes means are in nous ne sommes pas d’accord and is also the auxiliary in nous sommes partis de suppositions différentes. The citation form is être, and sommes is the form used with nous. Use nous sommes before an adjective or another required form such as partis.
pas Pas completes the negative structure ne...pas in nous ne sommes pas d’accord, meaning that we do not agree. Use pas after the conjugated verb when ne...pas negates the clause.
d’accord D’accord means in agreement in nous ne sommes pas d’accord, so the full expression means that we do not agree. In d’accord, d’ is the shortened form of de before accord, and accord contributes the idea of agreement. Use être d’accord or ne pas être d’accord when expressing agreement or disagreement.
parce Parce is part of the conjunction parce que in parce que nous sommes partis de suppositions différentes, which gives the reason. Parce does not carry the complete meaning alone here; use parce que before a reason clause. New example: Je reste parce que le projet est important.
partis Partis means started from or proceeded from in nous sommes partis de suppositions différentes. The citation form is partir, and this form appears with sommes in the expression sommes partis de. Use partir de plus a noun when describing the starting point for an idea, plan, or action.
de De means from in sommes partis de suppositions différentes and identifies the assumptions from which the teammates started. Use partir de plus a noun to name a starting point or basis. New example: Nous partons de cette information.
suppositions Suppositions means assumptions in suppositions différentes, referring to ideas accepted without checking them against the notes. The singular citation form is supposition, while suppositions is the plural form used here. Use faire or partir de suppositions when discussing the assumptions behind a decision.
différentes Différentes means different and describes suppositions in suppositions différentes. The citation form is différent; différentes is the form agreeing with the feminine plural noun suppositions. Use noun plus différentes to show that the items do not match one another.
pensais Pensais means thought in Je pensais que le client voulait une version simple and Je pensais qu’il attendait une version complète. The citation form is penser, and pensais is the past form used with Je here. Use Je pensais que to explain an earlier belief or assumption.
le Le means the in le client and identifies client as a specific masculine noun. Use le before a masculine singular noun when referring to a known person or thing. New example: le projet.
client Client means client in le client and refers to the customer whose needs guide the task. The same form is used for the singular noun here. Use le client or les priorités du client when discussing that customer’s requirements.
voulait Voulait means wanted in le client voulait une version simple. The citation form is vouloir, and voulait is the past form used for what the client wanted at that point. Use vouloir plus a noun or infinitive to describe a person’s request or preference.
d’abord D’abord means first in voulait d’abord une version simple and places that version first in the sequence. Use d’abord before or after the relevant action or preference to indicate the first step. New example: Nous allons d’abord vérifier les notes.
une Une means a or one in une version simple and introduces one feminine noun, version. Use une before a feminine singular noun when referring to one non-specific item. New example: une tâche.
version Version means version in une version simple and une version complète, referring to a form of the project deliverable. Use version with an adjective or avec plus a feature to specify what kind of version is meant.
simple Simple means simple in une version simple, describing a version with less complexity than the complete option. The same adjective form is used with version here. Use version simple when proposing an initial or less elaborate version.
qu’il Qu’il means that he in Je pensais qu’il attendait une version complète and refers to the client. It combines que with il before the following verb. Use qu’il before a clause that reports what a male person thinks, wants, or expects.
attendait Attendait means expected in qu’il attendait une version complète. The citation form is attendre, and attendait is the past form used for the client’s expectation. Use attendre plus a noun to describe what someone expects to receive or happen.
complète Complète means complete in une version complète and describes a version containing every feature in the discussion. The citation form is complet; complète is the form agreeing with version. Use version complète when the deliverable includes the full planned scope.
avec Avec means with in avec toutes les fonctionnalités and adds the features included in the complete version. Use avec before a noun to specify what something contains or accompanies. New example: une version avec une option avancée.
toutes Toutes means all in toutes les fonctionnalités and refers to the full set of features. The citation form is tout; toutes is the feminine plural form used with fonctionnalités. Use toutes les plus a plural feminine noun when referring to every item in that group.
les Les means the in les fonctionnalités and identifies a plural set of known features. Use les before a plural noun when the listener can identify the items being discussed. New example: les notes.
fonctionnalités Fonctionnalités means features or functionalities in toutes les fonctionnalités and fonctionnalité avancée. The singular citation form is fonctionnalité, while fonctionnalités is the plural form used for several features. Use fonctionnalité with inclure or être nécessaire when discussing what a version contains or requires.
Vérifions Vérifions means let’s check in Vérifions les notes and proposes checking the project notes together. The citation form is vérifier, and Vérifions is the form used to make a collaborative suggestion. Use Vérifions plus a noun when inviting someone to examine information together.
notes Notes means notes in Vérifions les notes and refers to the written project information used to settle the disagreement. The singular citation form is note; notes is the plural form used here. Use vérifier les notes when consulting written records instead of relying only on memory.
au Au is part of au lieu de, the expression meaning instead of in au lieu de nous disputer. It combines à with le and cannot be interpreted as the complete meaning of the expression by itself. Use au lieu de plus an infinitive to replace one action with another.
lieu Lieu contributes to the expression au lieu de, which means instead of in au lieu de nous disputer. Although lieu can mean place in other contexts, that is not its meaning in this dialogue. Use au lieu de plus an infinitive to say what should be done instead.
disputer Disputer appears in nous disputer and refers to arguing with one another about the disagreement. It is used after au lieu de, which requires the infinitive in this construction. Use au lieu de nous disputer to suggest a more constructive action instead of arguing.
en En introduces the way the action is carried out in en nous fiant à notre mémoire, meaning by relying on our memory. Here it is followed by the form nous fiant and works with à to identify what is relied on. Use en plus an action form to describe how something is done.
fiant Fiant means relying or trusting in en nous fiant à notre mémoire. The citation form is se fier, and fiant appears in the construction nous fiant à. Use se fier à or, in this construction, nous fiant à plus a person, source, or information.
à À identifies what is relied on in nous fiant à notre mémoire. It is part of the construction se fier à, meaning to rely on or trust. Use à after this construction before the person, source, or information being trusted.
notre Notre means our in notre mémoire and shows that the memory belongs to the speakers together. Use notre before a singular noun to express shared possession. New example: notre projet.
mémoire Mémoire means memory in notre mémoire and refers to what the teammates remember rather than to written evidence. Use mémoire with possessive words such as notre or with expressions about relying on remembered information.
indiquent Indiquent means indicate or say in Les notes indiquent que la rapidité est prioritaire. The citation form is indiquer, and indiquent is the form used with the plural subject Les notes. Use a source plus indiquent que to report what written information shows.
la La means the in la rapidité and identifies rapidité as a specific feminine singular noun. Use la before a feminine singular noun when referring to a known idea or thing. New example: la décision.
rapidité Rapidité means speed in la rapidité est prioritaire and names the quality that has the highest priority. The same noun form is used in this singular expression. Use la rapidité est prioritaire to state that completing something quickly matters most.
est Est means is in la rapidité est prioritaire and links the subject rapidité to the description prioritaire. The citation form is être, and est is the form used with a singular subject. Use est before an adjective to describe a singular noun.
prioritaire Prioritaire means a priority or prioritized in la rapidité est prioritaire, showing that speed matters most. The same adjective form is used with rapidité in this dialogue. Use être prioritaire to identify the requirement that should come first.
mais Mais means but and introduces the important exception after la rapidité est prioritaire. Use mais to contrast one priority or fact with another. New example: La version est simple, mais elle inclut la fonctionnalité nécessaire.
qu’une Qu’une introduces the second clause in mais qu’une fonctionnalité avancée est toujours nécessaire: that an advanced feature is still necessary. It combines que with une before the feminine noun fonctionnalité. Use qu’une after a reporting verb such as indiquent when adding another piece of reported information.
fonctionnalité Fonctionnalité means feature in qu’une fonctionnalité avancée est toujours nécessaire and identifies the required element. The same singular noun appears in fonctionnalité avancée. Use une fonctionnalité plus an adjective to specify a particular feature.
avancée Avancée means advanced in une fonctionnalité avancée and describes the type of feature that remains necessary. The citation form is avancé; avancée is the form agreeing with fonctionnalité. Use fonctionnalité avancée when referring to a more sophisticated project capability.
toujours Toujours means still in est toujours nécessaire and shows that the requirement remains in place despite the priority given to speed. Use toujours before an adjective or verb phrase to indicate that a situation continues. New example: Cette option est toujours nécessaire.
nécessaire Nécessaire means necessary or required in une fonctionnalité avancée est toujours nécessaire. It describes the feature as something the project cannot omit according to the notes. Use être nécessaire to state that an item is required.
plus Plus contributes to the comparative expression plus simple in une version plus simple, meaning simpler. It comes before the adjective it modifies. Use plus plus an adjective to compare the degree of a quality, as in plus simple.
qui Qui introduces the clause qui inclut cette fonctionnalité and refers back to une version plus simple. It links the noun version to information describing what that version does. Use a noun plus qui plus a verb to add a description of that noun.
inclut Inclut means includes in qui inclut cette fonctionnalité and says that the simpler version contains the required feature. The citation form is inclure, and inclut is the form used with the singular subject version. Use inclut plus the included item.
cette Cette means this or that in cette fonctionnalité and points to the feature already mentioned in the discussion. Use cette before a feminine singular noun to refer to a particular item. New example: cette version.
semble Semble means seems in semble être le bon compromis and presents the compromise as a reasonable judgment rather than an absolute fact. The citation form is sembler, and semble is the form used with the singular subject version. Use sembler être plus a noun or adjective to give a careful evaluation.
être Être means to be in semble être le bon compromis and connects semble to the description le bon compromis. The citation form is être, and this infinitive follows semble. Use sembler être plus a description when stating how something appears.
bon Bon means right or good in le bon compromis and evaluates the proposed compromise positively. The citation form is bon, and this form agrees with the masculine noun compromis. Use le bon plus a noun when identifying the suitable or correct option.
compromis Compromis means compromise in le bon compromis and names the solution that combines a simpler version with the required feature. The same noun form is used in the dialogue. Use trouver or accepter un compromis when resolving a disagreement.
peux Peux means can in Je peux l’accepter and expresses the speaker’s ability or willingness to accept the proposal. The citation form is pouvoir, and peux is the form used with Je. Use Je peux plus an infinitive to state what you can do.
l’accepter L’accepter means accept it in Je peux l’accepter, where l’ refers to the proposed compromise. It combines the object pronoun l’ with accepter, whose citation form is accepter. Use pouvoir l’accepter when saying that you can accept a previously mentioned decision or proposal.
si Si means if in si nous expliquons clairement le compromis and introduces the condition for acceptance. Use si before a clause that states what must happen for another action or decision to follow. New example: Je peux venir si le projet est terminé.
expliquons Expliquons means explain in si nous expliquons clairement le compromis and refers to the teammates explaining the trade-off. The citation form is expliquer, and expliquons is the form used with nous. Use expliquer plus an object such as le compromis, often with an adverb describing how.
clairement Clairement means clearly in expliquons clairement le compromis and describes the required manner of explanation. The citation form is clair; clairement is the adverbial form used here. Use expliquer clairement plus the information that needs to be understood.
pouvons Pouvons means can or are able to in Nous pouvons le présenter autour des priorités du client. The citation form is pouvoir, and pouvons is the form used with nous. Use nous pouvons plus an infinitive to propose an action the team is able to take.
présenter Présenter means present or frame in le présenter autour des priorités du client and refers to presenting the compromise in relation to the client’s priorities. It follows pouvons and therefore remains in the infinitive. Use présenter quelque chose autour de plus a theme or priority when organizing how an idea is explained.
autour Autour means around in présenter autour des priorités du client and indicates the basis used to frame the proposal. Here it works with de in the expression autour de. Use présenter quelque chose autour de plus a central concern or theme.
des Des means of the in autour des priorités and combines de with les before the plural noun priorités. It is part of the expression autour des priorités du client. Use autour des plus a plural noun when framing something around several priorities or themes.
priorités Priorités means priorities in des priorités du client and refers to the client’s most important concerns. The singular citation form is priorité; priorités is the plural form used here. Use les priorités de plus a person or organization to identify what should guide a decision.
du Du means of the in du client and combines de with le before the masculine singular noun client. It identifies whose priorities are being discussed. Use les priorités du client to refer to the customer’s priorities.
vais Vais means am going to in Je vais mettre à jour la description de la tâche and introduces a planned action. The citation form is aller, and vais is the form used with Je. Use Je vais plus an infinitive to state what you plan to do next.
mettre Mettre means put in the expression mettre à jour, which means update in Je vais mettre à jour la description. It remains in the infinitive after vais. Use mettre à jour plus a document, description, or other item when saying that you will update it.
jour Jour means day as part of the fixed expression mettre à jour, which means update in mettre à jour la description. The complete meaning belongs to the expression, not to jour alone. Use mettre à jour plus an item that needs new or corrected information.
description Description means description in la description de la tâche and refers to the written explanation of the task. The same singular noun form is used here. Use description de plus a task or object to identify what is being described.
tâche Tâche means task in la description de la tâche and identifies the piece of work whose description will be updated. Use description de la tâche when referring to the written details of a work item. New example: terminer la tâche.
pour Pour introduces the purpose clause pour qu’elle corresponde à la décision, meaning so that it matches the decision. In this use, pour works with que and a clause rather than directly with an infinitive. Use pour que plus a subject and verb to state a desired result.
qu’elle Qu’elle means that it in pour qu’elle corresponde à la décision and refers to la description. It combines que with elle before the following verb. Use qu’elle before a clause when the subject is a feminine noun or a female person already identified.
corresponde Correspond[e] means matches or corresponds in pour qu’elle corresponde à la décision. The citation form is correspondre, and corresponde is the form used after pour que to express the intended result. Use correspondre à plus the decision, requirement, or standard that something should match.
décision Décision means decision in corresponde à la décision and names the agreed outcome that the task description should reflect. The same singular noun form is used here. Use correspondre à la décision when updating written information to match an agreed choice.
Ainsi Ainsi means thus or then in Ainsi, le désaccord ne devrait pas ralentir le projet and presents the consequence of the agreement. Use Ainsi at the start of a sentence to connect a conclusion or result to what was just discussed. New example: Ainsi, nous pouvons commencer.
devrait Devrait means should in le désaccord ne devrait pas ralentir le projet and expresses an expected result or consequence. The citation form is devoir, and devrait is the conditional form used with the singular subject le désaccord. Use subject plus devrait plus an infinitive to state what is expected not to happen or to happen.
ralentir Ralentir means slow down in ne devrait pas ralentir le projet and describes delaying the project’s progress. It follows devrait and therefore remains in the infinitive. Use ralentir plus a project, process, or activity when saying that something causes it to move more slowly.
projet Projet means project in ralentir le projet and refers to the work being completed for the client. The same singular noun form is used here. Use le projet when discussing a specific project and its progress.

Grammar Points

au lieu de + infinitif

Au lieu de nous disputer, nous acceptons un compromis.

oh LYUH duh noo dee-spew-TAY, noo zahk-sehp-TONZ uhn kohm-proh-MEE.

Instead of arguing, we accept a compromise.

« Au lieu de » est suivi de l’infinitif pour exprimer une action choisie à la place d’une autre.

en + participe présent

En nous fiant à la mémoire, nous présentons une version simple.

ahn noo fyahn ah lah may-MWAR, noo pray-zahn-TONZ oon vayr-SYON SAH-pleh.

By relying on memory, we present a simple version.

« En » + participe présent indique le moyen ou la manière de réaliser l’action principale.

French Vocabulary

attendre verb
ah-TAHND to expect attendait
client noun
klee-YAHN client
complet adj
kohm-PLEH complete complète
d’abord adv
dah-BOR first
fonctionnalité noun
fong-syoh-nah-lee-TAY feature fonctionnalités
ne pas être d’accord phrase
nuh pahz EH-tr dah-KORR to disagree ne sommes pas d’accord
partir de verb
par-TEER duh to base something on; to start from sommes partis de
penser verb
pahn-SAY to think pense
simple adj
SAH-pleh simple
supposition noun
soo-poh-zee-SYON assumption suppositions
version noun
vayr-SYON version
vouloir verb
voo-LWAHR to want voulait

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

client

Show Answerclient

assumption

Show Answersuppositions

to want

Show Answervoulait

simple

Show Answersimple